Beech Tree News Network

In recent weeks, I spent a few days with a friend, visited extended family, and had a weekend with my family. I am thankful we were able to make those connections. Catching up with people is a good thing. As Bronnie Ware noted, “It's not just about staying in touch with your friends…. It is about giving yourself the gift of their company, too.”

Wondering how others stay in touch, I asked family and friends, “In this busy world, how do you stay in touch with family and close friends?”

-I’m not the best at keeping in touch with everyone I care about. Fortunately for me, I have wonderful friends and family who make the effort to stay in touch with me.

-Calls, texts, and social media.

-Phone calls, texts, messenger, and Facebook as well as occasional visits.

-Phone calls and texting.

-Facebook, FaceTime, and I try to plan things together.

-Getting together often, and for people I am not able to see, technology allows different ways to communicate.

-They live in my house.

-I’m afraid I have to admit to texting and Facebook.

-First, I hope they know how much I care because of prior history, but I usually stay in touch through text, phone calls and Christmas cards.

-Phone, e-mail, and text. Occasionally, a face-to-face conversation. I visit with friends at my Bible study group. I spend a lot of time alone and am still learning to deal with that.

-Texting and FaceTime make me feel connected to my family when I’m not able to physically see them.

-I text A LOT. I also love Facebook for the fact that it allows me to keep up with family I don’t see very often.

-Facebook and texting.

-I’ll send a quick text asking after their well-being. If I have some time, I’ll make a call and talk for a while. It’s impersonal, but it’s all you can do sometimes.

Barbara Bush said, “Cherish your human connections – your relationships with friends and family,” and Kelly Clarkson said, “My friends and family are my support system. They tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear and they are there for me in the good and bad times….” Staying in touch with friends and family is certainly a gift to myself – the gift of interacting with the people I cherish.